A FAST car has been donated to the East Anglian air ambulance –to use when the helicopter is grounded.The bright yellow MG Rover ZS has been given free of charge to the air ambulance charity for at least two years, in a deal brokered by flying paramedic Steve Murrow and Richard Ames, managing director of Ames Motor Group in Bury St Edmunds.

By Tracey Sparling

A FAST car has been donated to the East Anglian air ambulance –to use when the helicopter is grounded.

The bright yellow MG Rover ZS has been given free of charge to the air ambulance charity for at least two years, in a deal brokered by flying paramedic Steve Murrow and Richard Ames, managing director of Ames Motor Group in Bury St Edmunds.

The car will be used as a fast response vehicle at times when Anglia One is unable to fly, either because of bad weather or in darkness in the winter.

It will also be used by the East Anglian Ambulance Service throughout the region, depending upon operational need to gain maximum benefit of the vehicle, such as in fine sunny weather in summer when there is no threat of the air ambulance being out of action.

Mr Murrow, who in addition to his work on the air ambulance drives a rapid response vehicle, added: "There have been a number of occasions since we began flying when the weather has conspired to keep us on the ground.

"Now, instead of sitting with the helicopter waiting for the weather to improve, we can be operational using this excellent MG ZS to help save lives in East Anglia."

Kate Lewis, general manager of the East Anglian Air Ambulance Trust, praised the Rover dealers for their "amazing act of generosity".

"It is only because of people like this are prepared to go the extra mile and help us out that we are able to offer the services we do," she added.

"This car will further improve the overall service that Anglia One provides and we're very excited about its potential to save lives by achieving a fast land response to medical and trauma injuries."